Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

11. Translation

The Genetic Code

Genetics

11. Translation

The Genetic Code

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1:46 minutes

Problem 13b

Textbook Question

Third-base wobble allows some tRNAs to recognize more than one mRNA codon. Based on this chapter's discussion of wobble, what is the minimal number of tRNA molecules necessary to recognize the following amino acids?
Arginine

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of wobble: Wobble refers to the flexibility in base pairing at the third position of the codon, allowing a single tRNA to recognize multiple codons. This is due to non-standard base pairing rules at this position.

Identify the codons for arginine: Arginine is encoded by six codons: CGU, CGC, CGA, CGG, AGA, and AGG. These codons are grouped based on their similarities in the first two positions.

Group the codons based on wobble rules: The first four codons (CGU, CGC, CGA, CGG) share the same first two bases (C and G), while the last two codons (AGA and AGG) share the first two bases (A and G). This grouping helps determine how many tRNAs are needed.

Determine the minimal number of tRNAs: For the first group (CGU, CGC, CGA, CGG), a single tRNA with an anticodon complementary to CGN (where N represents any base) can recognize all four codons due to wobble. For the second group (AGA and AGG), another tRNA with an anticodon complementary to AGN can recognize both codons.

Conclude the solution: Based on wobble rules, the minimal number of tRNA molecules necessary to recognize all six codons for arginine is two.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Wobble Hypothesis

The wobble hypothesis explains how the third position of a codon can tolerate mismatches between the codon in mRNA and the corresponding anticodon in tRNA. This flexibility allows a single tRNA to pair with multiple codons that code for the same amino acid, thereby reducing the total number of tRNA molecules required for protein synthesis.

Codons and Amino Acids

Codons are sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that specify particular amino acids during protein synthesis. Each amino acid can be encoded by one or more codons, which is crucial for understanding how many tRNA molecules are needed to translate a given set of codons into proteins.

tRNA Molecules

Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules are responsible for bringing the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome during translation. Each tRNA has a specific anticodon that pairs with a corresponding codon on the mRNA, and due to the wobble effect, fewer tRNA types can recognize multiple codons for the same amino acid, such as arginine.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

How many different proteins, each with a unique amino acid sequence, can be constructed that have a length of five amino acids?

949

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Textbook Question

Predict the amino acid sequence produced during translation by the following short hypothetical mRNA sequences (note that the second sequence was formed from the first by a deletion of only one nucleotide):

Sequence 1: 5'-AUGCCGGAUUAUAGUUGA-3'

Sequence 2: 5'-AUGCCGGAUUAAGUUGA-3'

What type of mutation gave rise to sequence 2?

699

views

Textbook Question

Third-base wobble allows some tRNAs to recognize more than one mRNA codon. Based on this chapter's discussion of wobble, what is the minimal number of tRNA molecules necessary to recognize the following amino acids?

Lysine

Isoleucine

Leucine

A short RNA molecule was isolated that demonstrated a hyperchromic shift, indicating secondary structure. Its sequence was determined to be

5'-AGGCGCCGACUCUACU-3'

If the molecule were an internal part of a message, what amino acid sequence would result from it following translation?

440

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Textbook Question

A short RNA molecule was isolated that demonstrated a hyperchromic shift, indicating secondary structure. Its sequence was determined to be

5'-AGGCGCCGACUCUACU-3'

If the molecule were a tRNA fragment containing a CGA anticodon, what would the corresponding codon be?

493

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Textbook Question

The genetic code contains 61 codons to specify the 20 common amino acids. Many organisms carry fewer than 61 different tRNA genes in their genomes. These genomes take advantage of isoaccepting tRNAs and the rules governing third-base wobble to encode fewer than 61 tRNA genes. Use these rules to calculate the minimal number of tRNA genes required to specify all 20 of the common amino acids.

571

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Third-base wobble allows some tRNAs to recognize more than one mRNA codon. Based on this chapter's discussion of wobble, what is the minimal number of tRNA molecules necessary to recognize the following amino acids?Arginine

Key Concepts

Wobble Hypothesis

Codons and Amino Acids

tRNA Molecules

Watch next

Third-base wobble allows some tRNAs to recognize more than one mRNA codon. Based on this chapter's discussion of wobble, what is the minimal number of tRNA molecules necessary to recognize the following amino acids?
Arginine